Shale swelling inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides amidic polymers, which exhibit shale swelling inhibitor activity having improved bio-degradability. The amidic polymers of the invention may be employed in a wide variety of compositions, particularly in subterranean drilling operations. Non-limiting generic structures of the amidic polymers are set out below: (1) wherein R 1 -R 3  and integers m and n are defined herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention provides amidic polymers, which exhibit shaleswelling inhibitor activity having improved biodegradability. The amidicpolymers of the invention may be employed in a wide variety ofcompositions, particularly in subterranean drilling operations.

Description of Related Art

Subterranean drilling operations are procedures conducted below thesurface of the earth from a formation such as in the course ofrecovering oil, gas, and other substances. Typically, rotarysubterranean drilling operations involve attaching a drill bit on alower end of a drill string to form a drilling tool and rotating thedrill bit along with the drill string into a subterranean formation tocreate a well bore through which subsurface formation fluids may berecovered. During subterranean drilling operations, subterranean wellbores may encounter strata having reactive shales. Reactive shales arematerials like clays (bentonite) and other subterranean materials thatswell when exposed to water. Reactive shales can cause problems duringdrilling because of their tendency to degrade when exposed to aqueousmedia such as aqueous-based drilling fluids. This degradation can resultin undesirable drilling conditions because degradation of the shale mayinterfere with attempts to maintain the integrity of drilled cuttingstraveling up the well bore until the cuttings can be removed by solidscontrol equipment located at the surface. Degradation of drilledcuttings prior to their removal at the surface greatly prolongs drillingtime because the shale particles traveling up the well bore break upinto smaller particles. These smaller particles increasingly expose newsurface area of the shale to the drilling fluid, which leads to stillfurther absorption of water and further degradation.

Consequently, subterranean drilling operations generally employ drillingfluids to inhibit shale swelling and improve environmental performance.Drilling fluids used in such operations may be fluids (gaseous orliquid), mixtures of fluids, and solids (solid suspensions, emulsions,gases and solids). Drilling fluids are also used to cool the drill bit,lubricate the rotating drill, prevent blowouts, and remove drillcuttings from the well bore.

Shale disintegration may also affect Equivalent Circulating Density(ECD). ECD is the increase in bottom hole pressure due to friction andis normally expressed in pounds per gallon. ECD, when forwardcirculating, is the apparent fluid density, which results from addingannular friction to the actual fluid density in the well. ECD may beaffected by the solids content of the drilling fluid, which may increaseif surface solids control equipment cannot remove shale from thedrilling fluid. Plastic viscosity (an indicator of size and quantity ofsolids) is an important parameter that affects drilling rate.Maintenance of appropriate ECD is important in drilling a well borewhere a narrow tolerance exists between the weight of the drilling fluidneeded to control the formation pressure and the weight of the drillingfluid that will fracture the formation. In such circumstances,minimizing shale degradation may be desirable to control the viscosityof the drilling fluid. Shale degradation may substantially decrease thestability of the well bore, which may cause irregularities in thediameter of the well bore. Shale degradation may decrease the stabilityof the well bore to such an extent that the well bore collapses.Degradation of the shale also may interrupt circulation of the drillingfluid, cause greater friction between the drill string and the wellbore. Accordingly, the complications associated with shale swellingduring drilling may substantially increase the time and cost ofdrilling.

Background material on shale swelling inhibitors include U.S. Pat. Nos.7,087,554, 7,549,474, and 7,833,945. Further background includes A. V.Reis, et al., J. Org. Chem., 2009, 74, 3750-3757; U.S. Pat. No.5,037,930; S. H. Kim, et al., Carbohydrate Polymers 40 (1993) 180-190;and Fhilype J., et al., International Journal of Pharmaceutices 335(2008) 184-194.

Traditional methods for inhibiting shale swelling during drilling haveemployed oil-based and synthetic-based drilling fluids. However,water-based shale swelling drilling inhibitors are now generally usedbecause they are considered more environmentally friendly. Many shaleswelling inhibitors show good inhibition performance in the oilfield buttheir application may be limited because of poor biodegradability.Accordingly, there is a need for shale swelling inhibitors havingimproved biodegradability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides amidic polymers comprising a (a) polymer having ahydroxyl group reacted with a (b) compound having an epoxy group and anunsaturated moiety to provide a reactive unsaturated intermediatepolymer; wherein the reactive unsaturated intermediate polymer isfurther reacted with a (c) vinyl amide to provide the amidic polymer.

The invention also provides amidic polymers comprising a (a) polymerhaving a hydroxyl group reacted with a (c) vinyl amide to provide theamidic polymer.

The invention also provides polymeric blends comprising a (a) polymerhaving a hydroxyl group and a (d) hydrophilic polymer having an amidegroup.

The invention further provides compositions comprising the amidicpolymers and polymeric blends, wherein the compositions compriseadhesives, aerosols, agricultural compositions, beverages, biocides,cleaning compositions, coating compositions, cosmetic compositions,dental compositions, detergents, drugs, electronics, encapsulations,foods, hair gels, hair sprays, household-industrial-institutional, inks,lithographic solutions, membrane compositions, metal fluids, oilfieldcompositions, paints, paper, personal care compositions,pharmaceuticals, plasters, plastics, printing, and wood-carecompositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides amidic polymers and polymeric blends. Theamidic polymers may be prepared by reacting: a polymer having a hydroxylgroup, with a compound having an epoxy group and an unsaturated moiety,to provide a reactive unsaturated intermediate polymer. The reactiveunsaturated intermediate polymer may then be further reacted with avinyl amide to provide the amidic polymer. The amidic polymers may alsobe prepared by reacting: a polymer having a hydroxyl group, with a vinylamide, to provide the amidic polymer. The polymeric blends may beprepared by blending: a polymer having a hydroxyl group, and ahydrophilic polymer having an amide group.

The amidic polymers and the polymeric blends exhibit improved shaleswelling inhibitor activity and improved biodegradability. The amidicpolymers and polymeric blends of the invention may be employed in a widevariety of compositions, particularly in subterranean drillingoperations. The amidic polymers and polymeric blends may be employedsingly or in mixtures, and may be formulated with other ingredients asnecessary.

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings set out below.

The term “amidic polymer” refers to a polymer containing the —C(O)—NH—group. “Amidic” is the adjective form of amide (noun).

The term “anion” refers to an ion with more electrons than protons,giving it a net negative charge.

the term “branched and unbranched alkyl groups” refers to alkyl groups,which may be straight chained or branched. For example, the alkyl groupsmay have from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, more particularly, from 1 toabout 10 carbon atoms, and yet more particularly from 1 to about 6carbon atoms. Branched groups include isopropyl, tert-butyl, and thelike.

The term “cation” refers to an ion with fewer electrons than protons,giving it a net positive charge.

The term “compound having an epoxy group and an unsaturated moiety”;refers to, respectively, a compound having an epoxy group that containsa ring shaped group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to two adjacentcarbon atoms, each carbon atom bonded to each other; and to a compoundhaving an unsaturated moiety that contains carbon to carbon double bondsor carbon to carbon triple bonds, preferably carbon to carbon doublebonds.

The term “copolymer” refers to polymers polymerized from more than onetype of monomer unit.

The term “generic substituent(s)” refer(s) to substituent(s) such asR₁-R₃, and integer subscripts used and defined in the invention.

The term “heteroatom” refers to atoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur,and phosphorous.

The term “hydrophilic” refers to a molecular entity that tends to bepolar and capable of hydrogen bonding, thereby enabling it to bewater-soluble or water-miscible.

The term “hydrophilic polymer having an amide group” refers to a polymerhaving an amide group, which has an affinity for water and tends to bewater-soluble or partially water-soluble. Hydrophilic polymers typicallyhave a portion of the molecule/polymer that is polar and capable ofhydrogen bonding, thereby enabling it to be water-soluble orwater-miscible. An amide group refers to the —C(O)—NH— group

The term “monomer” refers to the repeat units comprising a polymer. Amonomer is a small molecule that can chemically bond to other monomersto form a polymer.

The term “non-homopolymer” refers to a polymer formed from two or moremonomers and includes essentially all polymers that are nothomopolymers.

The term “polymer” refers to a large molecule (macromolecule) composedof repeating structural units (monomers) connected by covalent chemicalbonds.

The term “polymer having a hydroxyl group” refers to a polymercontaining the —OH group.

The term “polymeric blend” refers to a mixture of polymers. Theparticular blend may or may not have a synergistic effect on theparticular physical or mechanical properties of the blend and the blendmay or may not have inherent internal binding properties, such ashydrogen bonding.

The term “polymerization” refers to methods for chemically reactingmonomer compounds to form polymer chains. The polymer chain may bealternating, block, or random. The type of polymerization method may beselected from a wide variety of methods. Such methods include, but arenot limited to, free radical polymerization methods, such as classicalradical polymerization and controlled radical polymerization, including,but not limited to Nitroxide Mediation Polymerization (NMP), AtomTransfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), and Reversible AdditionFragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT).

The term “radical polymerization” Or “free radical polymerization”refers to a method of polymerization by which a polymer is formed fromthe successive addition of free radical building blocks. Free radicalscan be formed via a number of different mechanisms usually involvingseparate initiator molecules. Following creation of free radical monomerunits, polymer chains grow rapidly with successive addition of buildingblocks onto free radical sites.

The term “reactive unsaturated intermediate polymer” refers to,respectively, a reactive polymer that is capable of having a chemicalreaction or capable of chemically reacting; and to an intermediatepolymer that is formed from reactants and reacts further to yield adesired product. The term “unsaturated” refers to a polymer thatcontains carbon to carbon double bonds or carbon to carbon triple bonds,preferably carbon to carbon double bonds.

The term “respectively” is a term that denotes that the items in a listcorrespond to each other in the order they are given. With reference totwo or more items, the term refers in a parallel or sequential manner.

The term “shale” refers to materials such as certain types of clays (forexample, bentonite) and related subterranean materials that may “swell,”or increase in volume, when exposed to water.

The term “shale-inhibiting component” refers to a compound thatdemonstrates a propensity for inhibiting the tendency of shale to absorbwater and thereby inhibit “swell,” or increase in volume, when exposedto water.

The tem “strata or stratum (plural)” refers to a layer of sedimentaryrock or soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguishit from other layers. Each layer is generally one of a number ofparallel layers that lay one upon another, and are typically seen asbands of different colored or differently structured materials.Individual bands may vary in thickness and each hand represents aspecific mode of deposition: river silt, beach sand, coal swamp, sanddune, lava bed, etc.

The term “subterranean operation” refers to an operation that requiresthe performance of a procedure below the surface of the earth, includingprocedures performed in the course of recovering oil, gas, and othersubstances from a formation.

The term “vinyl amide” refers to a group of organic compounds containingthe —CO—NH— amide group with an adjacent (conjugated) —CH₂═CH— vinylgroup. Conjugation is the union of two groups. Conjugated systems aresystems of connected electron orbitals with de-localized electrons inthe compound with alternating single and multiple bonds. In general, theterm “vinyl amide” refers to the structures:

wherein the carbon atoms or nitrogen atom may be substituted.

The term “weight-average molecular weight” refers to a method ofdescribing the molecular weight of a polymer. Polymer molecules, even ifof the same type, come in different sizes (chain lengths, for linearpolymers), so an average of some kind must be calculated. For theweight-average molecular weight, this is calculated by the equation:

${\overset{\_}{M}w} = \frac{\sum_{i}{N_{i}M_{i}^{2}}}{\sum_{i}{N_{i}M_{i}}}$

where N_(i) is the number of molecules of molecular weight M_(i).

In one embodiment, the invention provides amidic polymers comprising a(a) polymer having a hydroxyl group reacted with a (b) compound havingan epoxy group and an unsaturated moiety to provide a reactiveunsaturated intermediate polymer; wherein the reactive unsaturatedintermediate polymer is further reacted with a (c) vinyl amide toprovide the amidic polymer.

In one aspect, the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is selected fromthe group consisting of partially and fully hydrolyzed poly(vinylalcohol)s, polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, thepolysaccharides are derived from celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses,carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses, hydropropylcelluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses, ethyl celluloses,carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates, heparins, hyaluronicacids, starches, chitins, perctins, guars, xanthans, dextrans, welangums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, and mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the (b) compound having an epoxy group and anunsaturated moiety is selected from the group consisting of glycidylmethacrylates, glycidyl acrylates, glycidyl ethyl acrylates, allylglycidyl ethers, glycidyl methacrylamides, glycidyl ethylacrylamides,glycidyl acrylamides, and mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the (c) vinyl amide is selected from the groupconsisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl piperidone; N-vinylcaprolactam; N-vinyl-3-methyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-4-methyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-5-methyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3-ethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-3-butyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3,3-dimethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-4,5-dimethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-5,5-dimethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-3,3,5-trimethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-5-methyl-5-ethylpyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-3-ethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-6-methyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-3,5-dimethyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-6-propyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-3-octyl piperidone;N-vinyl-7-methyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-7-ethyl caprolactam;N-vinyl-4-isopropyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-5-isopropyl caprolactam;N-vinyl-4-butyl caprolactam; N-vinyl formamide; N-vinyl acetamide;N-(2,2-dichloro-vinyl)-propionamide; N-ethenyl acetamide; cis-N-propenylacetamide; N-vinyl-N-methyl acetamide; N-vinyl-N,N-propyl propionamide;N-acryloyl piperidone; N-acryloyl pyrrolidone; ethyl acryloylpyrrolidone; methyl acryloyl pyrrolidone; N-acryloyl caprolactam; ethylacryloyl caprolactam; methyl acryloyl caprolactam;N-cyclohexylacrylamide; N-cyclopentylacrylamide; acrylamide,N-buotxymethylacrylamide; N,N-dibutylacrylamide; N-butylacrylamide;diacetoneacrylamide; N-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl acrylamide; N,N-diethylacidamide; N,N-dimethylacrylaraide; N-dodecylmethacrylamide;N-ethylacrylamide; N-ethylmethacrylamide; N-isopropylacrylamide;N-isopropylmethacrylamide; β,β-N,N-tetramethylacrylamide;N-methylolacrylamide; N-methylacrylamide; N-octadecylacrylamide;N-octylacrylamide; N-phenylacrylamide.; trichloroacrylamide; andmixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the amidic polymer is represented by the structure:

wherein R₁ is derived from a polymer having a hydroxyl group; R₂ isselected from the group consisting of —O—(C═O)—, —O—C—, and —NH—(C═O)—;R₃ is selected front the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₄ alkylgroups; n is an integer ranging from 1-3; and m is an integer rangingfrom 1 to about 1,000,000.

In another aspect, R₁ is derived from a polymer having a hydroxyl groupselected from the group consisting of partially and fully hydrolyzedpoly(vinyl alcohol)s, polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof. Preferablythe polysaccharides are derived from celluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses,hydropropyl celluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses, ethylcelluloses, carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates, heparins,hyaluronic acids, starches, chitins, peretins, guars, xanthans,dextrans, welan gums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, and mixturesthereof. Preferably R₂ is —O—(C═O)—; R₃ is hydrogen or methyl; n is aninteger ranging from 1-2; and m is an integer ranging from about 1 toabout 750,000.

In another aspect, the amidic polymer is selected from the group ofstructures consisting of:

wherein x is an integer ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; y is aninteger ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; w is an integer ranging from1 to about 1,000,000; o is an integer ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000;and z is an integer ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000,

The weight-average molecular weight, as defined above, of the amidicpolymer in this embodiment is from about 1,000 to about 10,000,000,preferably from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000, and more preferablyfrom about 10,000 to about 600,000.

As set out above, the amidic polymers in this embodiment comprise a (a)polymer having a hydroxyl group reacted with a (b) compound having anepoxy group and an unsaturated moiety to provide a reactive unsaturatedintermediate polymer; wherein the reactive unsaturated intermediatepolymer is further reacted with a (c) vinyl amide to provide the amidicpolymer.

The molecular weight of the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is fromabout 1,000 to about 1,000,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about20,000.

The weight percent of the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is fromabout 1% to about 70%, preferably from about 1% to about 50%, and morepreferably from about 5% to about 50%.

The weight percent of the (b) compound having an epoxy group and anunsaturated moiety is from about 0.1% to about 10%, preferably fromabout 0.5% to about 8%, and more preferably from about 1% to about 5%,

The weight percent of the (c) vinyl amide is front about 1% to about98.9%, preferably from about 50% to about 98.9%, and more preferablyfrom about 50% to about 70%.

The amidic polymers in this embodiment may be random, block,alternating, cross-linked, and branched.

The amidic polymers in this embodiment preferably comprise about (a)40-50% partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, about (b) 0.1-10%glycidyl methacrylate, and (c) about 50-60% vinyl pyrrolidone, byweight.

The unsaturated monomer may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Preferably,the amount of the unsaturated monomer in the amidic polymer enables thefinal amidic polymer to be water-soluble or water-dispersible. The (c)vinyl amide may further comprise a cross linker that can copolymerizewith the (c) vinyl amide. The cross linker may containmulti-ethylenically unsaturated moieties, wherein the ethylenicallyunsaturated moieties are vinyl or allyl, and blends thereof. The crosslinker may be present in an amount of about 0.01-5%, preferably 0.01-2%,and more preferably 0.1-2%, by weight.

In another embodiment, the invention provides amidic polymers comprisinga (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group reacted with a (c) vinyl amide toprovide the amidic polymer.

In one aspect, the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is selected fromthe group consisting of partially and fully hydrolyzed poly(vinylalcohol)s, polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, thepolysaccharides are derived from celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses,carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses, hydropropylcelluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses, ethyl celluloses,carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates, heparins, hyaluronicacids, starches, chitins, perctins, guars, xanthans, dextrans, welangums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, and mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the (c) vinyl amide is selected from the groupconsisting of N-vinyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl piperidone; caprolactam;N-vinyl-3-methyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-4-methyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-5-methyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3-ethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-3-butyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3,3-dimethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-4,5-dimethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-5,5-dimethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-3,3,5-trimethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-5-methyl-5-ethylpyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-3-ethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-6-methyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-3,5-dimethyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-6-propyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-3-octyl piperidone;N-vinyl-7-methyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-7-ethyl caprolactam;N-vinyl-4-isopropyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-5-isopropyl caprolactam;N-vinyl-4-butyl caprolactam; N-vinyl formamide; N-vinyl acetamide;N-(2,2-dichloro-vinyl)-propionamide; N-ethenyl acetamide; cis-N-propenylacetamide; N-vinyl-N-methyl acetamide; N-vinyl-N,N-propyl propionamide;N-acryloyl piperidone; N-acryloyl pyrrolidone; ethyl acryloylpyrrolidone; methyl acryloyl pyrrolidone; N-acryloyl caprolactam; ethylacryloyl caprolactam; methyl acryloyl caprolactam;N-cyclohexylacrylamide; N-cyclopentylacrylamide; acrylamide,N-butoxymethylacrylamide; N,N-dibutylacrylamide; N-butylacrylamide;diacetoneacrylamide; N-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl acrylamide;N,N-diethylacrylamide; N,N-dimethylacrylamide N-dodecylmethacrylamide;N-ethylacrylamide; N-ethylmethacrylamide; N-isopropylacrylamide;N-isopropylmethacrylamide; β,β-N,N-tetramethylacrylamide;N-methylolacrylamide; N-methyl acrylamide; N-octadecylacrylamide;N-octylacrylamide; N-phenylacrylamide; trichloroacrylamide; and mixturesthereof.

In another aspect, the amidic polymer is represented by the structure:

wherein R₁ is a polymer having a hydroxyl group; m is an integer rangingfrom about 1 to about 100,000; and n is an integer ranging from 1-3.

In another aspect, R₁ is derived from a polymer having a hydroxyl groupselected from the group consisting of partially and fully hydrolyzedpoly(vinyl alcohol)s, polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof. Preferablythe polysaccharides are derived from celluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses,hydropropyl celluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses, ethylcelluloses, carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates, heparins,hyaluronic acids, starches, chitins, perctins, guars, xanthans,dextrans, welan gums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, and mixturesthereof. Preferably R₂ is —O—(C═O)—; R₃ is hydrogen or methyl; n is aninteger ranging from 1-2; and m is an integer ranging from about 1 toabout 750,000.

In another aspect, the amidic polymer is selected from the group ofstructures consisting of:

wherein x is an integer ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; y is aninteger ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; w is an integer ranging from1 to about 1,000,000; and v is an integer ranging from 1 to about1,000,000,

The weight-average molecular weight, as defined above, of the amidicpolymer in this embodiment is from about 1,000 to about 10,000,000,preferably from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000, and more preferablyfrom about 10,000 to about 600,000.

As set out above, the amidic polymers in this embodiment comprise a (a)polymer having a hydroxyl group reacted with a (c) vinyl amide toprovide the amidic polymer.

The molecular weight of the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is fromabout 1,000 to about 1,000,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about20,000.

The weight percent of the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is frontabout 1% to about 70%, preferably from about 1% to about 50%, and morepreferably from about 5% to about 50%.

The weight percent of the (c) vinyl amide is from about 1% to about98.9%, preferably from about 50% to about 98.9%, and more preferablyfrom about 50% to about 70%.

The amidic polymers in this embodiment may be random, block,alternating, cross-linked, branched, and mixtures thereof.

The amidic polymers in this embodiment preferably comprise about (a)40-50% polyvinyl alcohol, and (c) about 50-60% vinyl pyrrolidone, byweight. Preferably, the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is 85%-98%hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol.

The unsaturated monomer may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Preferably,the final amidic polymer is water-soluble or water-dispersible. The (c)vinyl amide may further comprise a cross linker that can copolymerizewith the (c) vinyl amide. The cross linker may containmulti-ethylenically unsaturated moieties, wherein the ethylenicallyunsaturated moieties are vinyl or allyl, and blends thereof. The crosslinker may be present in an amount of about 0.01-5%, preferably 0.01-2%,and more preferably 0.1-2%, by weight.

In another embodiment, the invention provides polymeric blendscomprising a (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group and a (d) hydrophilicpolymer having an amide group.

In one aspect, the (a) polymer having a hydroxyl group is selected fromthe group consisting of partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol)s, fullyhydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, polysaccharides, and mixtures thereof.Preferably, the polysaccharides are derived from celluloses,hydroxyethyl celluloses, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, hydropropyl celluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses,ethyl celluloses, carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates,heparins, hyaluronic acids, starches, chitins, perctins, guars,xanthans, dextrans, welan gums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, andmixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the (d) hydrophilic polymer having an amide group isselected from the group consisting of homo- and copolymers ofpolyvinylpyrrolidones, partially and fully hydrolyzed polyacrylamides,wherein the hydrophilic polymer may be a branched, cross-linked, orlinear polymer, and mixtures thereof.

In another aspect, the blend is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein x is an integer ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; y is aninteger ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000, and m is an integer rangingfrom 1 to about 100,000.

The weight-average molecular weight, as defined above, of the blends inthis embodiment is from about 1,000 to about 10,000,000, preferably fromabout. 10,000 to about 1,000,000, and more preferably from about 10,000to about 600,000.

As set out above, the blends in this embodiment comprise a (a) polymerhaving a hydroxyl group and a (d) hydrophilic polymer having an amidegroup.

The blends in this embodiment may be random, block, alternating,cross-linked, and branched.

The blends may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Preferably the finalblends are water-soluble or water-dispersible.

When the amidic polymers and blends of the invention are used indrilling fluids, as shale-inhibiting agents, in subterranean formations,the drilling fluids may contain one or more salts in an aqueous-basedcomposition. The selection of a particular salt and a particularaqueous-based composition will be subject to what is appropriate for aparticular application as well as environmental considerations. Examplesof suitable salts in drilling fluids include potassium chloride, sodiumchloride, potassium formate, potassium carbonate, calcium chloride,calcium bromide, and mixtures thereof. The amount of salt present in thedrilling fluid may be in an amount from about 5 pounds per barrel toabout the salt saturation limit of the drilling fluid. The aqueous-basedcomposition may be fresh water, salt water (water containing one or moredissolved salts), seawater (about 3.5% salinity), brine (saturated saltwater), and mixtures thereof.

Other additives suitable for use in the drilling fluids includeantifoammg agents, biocide agents, bridging agents, corrosion controlagents, dispersant agents, flocculant agents, fluid loss additives,foaming agents, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) scavengers, lubricating agents,oxygen scavengers, scale inhibitors, viscosifier agents, weightingagents, and mixtures thereof. The amount of additive present in thedrilling fluid will be dependent upon the particular additive selected,the particular drilling fluid selected, and the particular applicationselected.

The amidic polymers and blends of the invention may be used in thedrilling fluids in a shale-inhibiting amount. The exact amount of amidicpolymers and blends present in the drilling fluids will depend upon theparticular amidic polymers and blends selected, the particularapplication selected, cost effectiveness, environmental concerns, aswell as many other factors.

In general, the methods of using a drilling fluid in a subterraneanformation include providing a drilling fluid comprising an aqueous-basedfluid and a shale-inhibiting agent; and placing the drilling fluid in awell bore in a subterranean formation. The methods also includeproviding a drilling fluid comprising an aqueous-based fluid and ashale-inhibiting agent; and placing the drilling fluid in a well bore ina subterranean formation, in contact with a drill bit and a subterraneanformation. The methods further include providing a drilling fluidcomprising an aqueous base fluid, a shale-inhibiting agent; and placingthe drilling fluid in a subterranean formation. The shale-inhibitingagent may be added to the drilling fluid individually or as a pre-mixedadditive that comprises the shale-inhibiting agent and optionalcomponents. The shale-inhibiting agents may be added to the drillingfluid prior to, during, or subsequent to placing the drilling fluid inthe subterranean formation.

The methods of the present invention may be utilized in a variety ofsubterranean operations that involve subterranean drilling. Examples ofsuitable subterranean drilling operations include water well drilling,oil gas well drilling, utilities drilling, tunneling, constructionalinstallation of subterranean pipelines, and service lines. Thesesubterranean drilling operations may be utilized to drill a well bore ina subterranean formation, or to stimulate the production of fluids froma subterranean formation, as well as for other purposes.

Polymers of the invention may be used in a wide variety of compositionssuch as in adhesives, agricultural, biocides, coatings, electronics,household-industrial-institutional (HI&I), inks, membranes, metalfluids, oilfield, paper, paints, plastics, printing, plasters, andwood-care compositions.

Depending on the end application, one or more fillers may be included inthe compositions and may be added for improved rheological propertiesand/or stress reduction. Examples of suitable nonconductive fillersinclude alumina, aluminum hydroxide, silica, fused silica, fumed silica,vermiculite, mica, wollastonite, calcium carbonate, titania, sand,glass, barium sulfate, zirconium, carbon black, organic fillers, andhalogenated ethylene polymers, such as, tetrafluoroethylene,trifluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl fluoride, vinylidenechloride, and vinyl chloride. Examples of suitable conductive fillersinclude carbon black, graphite, gold, silver, copper, platinum,palladium, nickel, aluminum, silicon carbide, boron nitride, diamond,and alumina. Combinations of these fillers may be used.

The filler particles may be of any appropriate size, particularly fromthe nano to micro range. The choice of such size for any particular enduse is within the expertise of one skilled in the art. The filler may bepresent in an amount from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the totalcomposition. More than one filler type may be used in a composition andthe fillers may or may not be surface treated. Appropriate filler sizescan be determined by the practitioner, and, in particular, may be withinthe range from about 20 nm to about 100 μm.

Other materials, such as adhesion promoters (e.g. epoxides, silanes),dyes, pigments, and rheology modifiers may be added as desired for themodification of the final properties. Such materials and the amountsneeded are within the expertise of those skilled in the art.

Compositions belonging to the personal care/cosmetic and pharmaceuticalarts find utility in altering, delivering an active, enhancing,improving, modifying the appearance, condition, color, health, style ofthe skin (including face, scalp, and lips), hair, nails, and oralcavity. Many examples and product forms of these compositions are known.These compositions can impart benefits that include, but are not limitedto, hair style flexibility, hair style durability, humidity resistancefor hair, color and/or color protection, moisturization, wrinklereduction, protection from ultraviolet radiation, water proofness, waterresistance, wear resistance, thermal protection, adhesion, activeingredient delivery, anti-cavity, and/or anti-gingivitis protection. Assuch, these compositions are sometimes categorized in the followingareas: skin care, hair care (both styling and non-styling), sun care,cosmetics (including color cosmetics), antiperspirants, deodorants, oralhygiene, and men's and women's personal hygiene/grooming, In some casesthese benefits and care areas overlap with another.

Skin care compositions include those materials used on the body, face,hands, lips, and/or scalp, and are beneficial for many reasons, such asfirming, anti-cellulite, moisturizing, nourishing, cleaning, reducing oreliminating the appearance of wrinkles or lentigo, toning, and/orpurifying. They also can be used to sanitize.

Consumers can identify many of the compositions that serve the sun carearea, for example after-fun, children's, beach, self-tan, sports (i.e.,being sweat proof, waterproof, resistant to running, or having added UVabsorbers and/or antioxidants), sensitive skin products (i.e., havinglow irritation to the eyes and/or skin, and/or being free of fragrancesand/or dyes), daily wear, leave-on hair creams, lotions, stylingproducts, and hair sprays, Typically, sun care products also compriseone or more UV actives, which are those organic and inorganic materialsthat scatter, absorb, and/or reflect radiation having a wavelength fromabout 100 nm to about 400 nm. In one aspect, the sun care productprotects against UV-A and/or UV-B radiation. UV-A radiation, from about3:20 nm to about 400 nm, has the longest wavelength within the UVspectrum, and consequently is the least energetic. While UV-A rays caninduce skin tanning, they are liable to induce adverse changes as well,especially in the case of sensitive skin or of skin, which iscontinually exposed to solar radiation. In particular UV-A rays cause aloss of skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles, leading topremature skin aging. UV-B rays have shorter wavelengths, from about 290nm to about 320 nm, and their higher energy can cause erythema and skinburns, which may be harmful. Alternatively, sun care products may omitUV actives, and may be regarded as a tanning oil or a tan promoter. Somesun care compositions may promote soothe skin after sun exposure, and/orbe formulated for application to the lips, hair, or the area around theeyes. Self-tan compositions, which are products that color skin withoutrequiring full sun exposure, also fit under the sun care umbrella. Themany different sun care product formats include may assume a consistencyranging from liquid to semiliquid forms (e.g., milks, creams), tothicker forms like gels, creams, pastes, and even solid- and wax-likeforms. Sun care products also may take the form of an aerosol, spray,mist, roll-on, or wipe.

Hair care compositions include shampoos, leave-on and rinse-outconditioners used for conditioning, moisturizing, repairing, haircolors, hair relaxers, and deep conditioners and treatments such as hotoils and waxes, 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner combination products, 3-in-1shampoo/conditioner/styling agent. The many types of hair care productscan be delivered in an array of formats, including aerosol sprays, pumpsprays, gel sprays, mousses, gels, waxes, creams, pomades, spritzes,putties, lacquers, de-frizzing serums, perms, relaxants and colorants.

Color cosmetic compositions include facial make-up, eye makeup,mascaras, lip and nail products. Facial make-up compositions includefoundation (liquid, solid, and semi-solid) skin tinted creams, liquid,sticks, mousses used as a base under make-up, rouge, face powder,blusher, highlighters, face bronzers, concealers, and 2-way cakeproducts.

Pet care/cosmetics also include eye make-up, mascaras, eyeliners, eyeshadows, eyebrow pencils and eye pencils. Lip products includelipsticks, lip pencils, lip gloss, transparent bases and tinted lipmoisturizers as well as multi-function color sticks that can also beused for cheeks and eyes. Nail products include nail varnishes/enamels,nail varnish removers, treatments, home-manicure products such ascuticle softeners and nail strengtheners.

In addition to the skin, hair, and sun care compositions summarizedabove, the polymers related herein also find application in oral carecompositions. Non-limiting examples or oral care compositions includetoothpastes (including toothpaste gels), denture adhesives, whiteners,anesthetics, and dental floss and related products. These compositionsmay take any product format, such as pastes, gels, creams, solutions,dispersions, rinses, flosses, aerosols, powders, and lozenges.

Grooming products for men and women include shaving products andtoiletries, which may find use in preparing the skin and/or hair for dryor wet shaving. In addition, these compositions may help to moisturize,cool, and/or soothe skin. A variety of product forms are known, a few ofwhich are foams, gels, creams, sticks, oils, solutions, tonics, balms,aerosols, mists, sprays, and wipes.

The polymer can also be used in other personal care/cosmeticapplications, such as an absorbent material in appropriate applicationssuch as diapers, incontinence products, feminine products, and otherrelated products.

The polymers described herein also find application in bath and showercompositions, such as foams, gels, salts, oils, balls, liquids, powdersand pearls. Also included are bar soaps, body washes, shower gels,cleansers, gels, oils, foams, scrubs and creams. As a natural extensionof this category, these compositions also include liquid soaps and handsanitizers used for cleaning hands.

The polymer of the invention can be used in combination with one or moreadditional personal care/cosmetically acceptable additives chosen from,for example, conditioning agents, protecting agents, such as, forexample, hydrosoluble, liposoluble and water-insoluble UV filters,antiradical agents, antioxidants, vitamins and pro-vitamins, fixingagents, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, dyes, cleansing agents,anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants, thickeners,perfumes, pearlizing agents, stabilizers, pH adjusters, filters, hydroxyacids, various cationic, anionic and nonionic polymers, cationic andnonionic polyether associative polyurethanes, preservatives, vegetableoils, mineral oils, synthetic oils, polyols such as glycols andglycerol, silicones, aliphatic alcohols, colorants, bleaching agents,highlighting agents and sequestrants.

These additives may be present in the composition according to theinvention in proportions that may range from about 0% to about 20% byweight in relation to the total weight of the composition. An expert inthe field according to its nature and its function may easily determinethe precise amount of each additive.

Examples of these co-ingredients and many others can be found in thefollowing references, each of which is herein incorporated in itsentirety by reference: “Inventory and common nomenclature of ingredientsemployed in cosmetic products,” Official Journal of the European Union,5.4.2006, pages L 97/1 through L 97/528; and International CosmeticIngredient Dictionary and Handbook 13^(th) edition, ISBN: 1882621476,published by The Personal Care Products Council in January 2010.

Any known conditioning agent is useful in the personal care/cosmeticcompositions of this invention. Conditioning agents function to improvethe cosmetic properties of the hair, particularly softness, thickening,untangling, feel, and static electricity and may be in liquid,semi-solid, or solid form such as oils, waxes, or gums. Similarly, anyknown skin-altering agent is useful in the compositions of thisinvention. A few examples of conditioning agents include cationicpolymers, cationic surfactants and cationic silicones. Conditioningagents may be chosen from synthesis oils, mineral oils, vegetable oils,fluorinated or perfluorinated oils, natural or synthetic waxes,silicones, cationic polymers, proteins and hydrolyzed proteins, ceramidetype compounds, cationic surfactants, fatty amines, fatty acids andtheir derivatives, as well as mixtures of these different compounds.

The cationic polymers that may be used as a conditioning agent accordingto the invention are those known to improve the cosmetic properties ofhair treated by detergent compositions. The expression “cationicpolymer” as used herein, indicates any polymer containing cationicgroups and/or ionizable groups in cationic groups. The cationic polymersused generally have a number-average molecular weight, which fallsbetween about 500 and 5,000,000, for example between 1000 and 3,000,000.Cationic polymers may be chosen from among those containing unitsincluding primary, secondary, tertiary, and/or quaternary amine groupsthat may either form part of the main polymer chain or a side chain.Useful cationic polymers include known polyamine, polyaminoamide, andquaternary polyammonium types of polymers, such as:

-   -   homopolymers and copolymers derived from acrylic or methacrylic        esters or amides. The copolymers can contain one or more units        derived from acrylamides, methacrylamides, diacetone        acrylamides, acrylic or methacrylic acids or their esters, vinyl        lactams such as vinyl pyrrolidone or vinyl caprolactam, and        vinyl esters. Specific examples include: copolymers of        acrylamide and N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate quaternized        with dimethyl sulfate or with an alkyl halide; copolymers of        acrylamide and methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride;        the copolymer of acrylamide and methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl        ammonium methosulfate; copolymers of vinyl        pyrrolidone/dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate,        optionally quaternized, such as the products sold under the name        Gafquat® by Ashland Specialty Ingredients; the        N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/vinyl caprolactam/vinyl        pyrrolidone terpolymers, such as the product sold under the name        Gaffix® VC 713 by Ashland Specialty Ingredients; the vinyl        pyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyl dimethylamine copolymer,        marketed under the name Styleze® CC-10 by Ashland Specialty        Ingredients; the vinyl pyrrolidone/quaternized dimethyl amino        propyl methacrylamide copolymers such as the product sold under        the name Gafquat® HS-100 by Ashland Specialty Ingredients; and        the vinyl pyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropyl        illethacrylamide/C₉-C₂₄ alkyldimethylaminopropyl methacrylic        acid quaternized terpolymers described in U.S. Pat. No.        6,207,778 and marketed under the name Styleze® W-20 by Ashland        Specialty gredients.    -   derivatives of cellulose ethers containing quaternary ammonium        groups, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose quaternary ammonium that        has reacted with an epoxide substituted by a trimethyl ammonium        group.    -   derivatives of cationic cellulose such as cellulose copolymers        or derivatives of cellulose grafted with a hydrosoluble        quaternary ammonium monomer, as described in U.S. Pat. No.        4,131,576, such as the hydroxy alkyl cellulose, and the        hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl- or hydroxypropyl-cellulose grafted        with a salt of methacryloyl ethyl trimethyl ammonium,        mothacrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium, or dimethyl diallyl        ammonium.

cationic polysaccharides such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,589,578and 4,031,307, guar gums containing cationic trialkyl ammonium groupsand guar gums modified by a salt, e.g., chloride of 2,3-epoxy propyltrimethyl ammonium.

-   -   polymers composed of piperazinyl units and alkylene or hydroxy        alkylene divalent radicals with straight or branched chains,        possibly interrupted by atoms of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or by        aromatic or heterocyclic cycles, as well as the products of the        oxidation and/or quaternization of such polymers.    -   water-soluble polyamino amides prepared by polycondensation of        an acid compound with a polyamine. These polyamino amides may be        reticulated.    -   derivatives of polyamino amides resulting from the condensation        of polyalkylene polyamines with polycarboxylic acids followed by        alkylation by bi-functional agents.    -   polymers obtained by reaction of a polyalkylene polyamine        containing two primary amine groups and at least one secondary        amine group with a dioxycarboxylic acid chosen from among        diglycolic acid and saturated dicarboxylic aliphatic acids        having 3 to 8 atoms of carbon. Such polymers are described in        U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,227,615 and 2,961,347.    -   the cyclopolymers of alkyl dialyl amine or dialkyl diallyl        ammonium such as the homopolymer of dimethyl diallyl ammonium        chloride and copolymers of diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride        and acrylamide. quaternary diammonium polymers such as        hexadimethrine chloride. Polymers of this type are described        particularly in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,273,780, 2,375,853, 2,388,614,        2.454,547, 3,206,462, 2,261,002, 2,271,378, 3,874,870,        4,001,432, 3,929,990, 3,966,904, 4,005,193, 4,025,617,        4,025,627, 4,025,653, 4,026,945, and 4,027,020.    -   quaternary polyammonium polymers, including, for example,        Mirapol® A 15, Mirapol® AD1, Mirapol® AZ1, and Mirapol® 175        products sold by Miranol.    -   the quaternary polymers of vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl imidazole        such as the products sold under the names Luviquat® FC 905, FC        550, and FC 370 by BASF.    -   quaternary polyamines.    -   reticulated polymers known in the art.

The conditioning agent can be a protein or hydrolyzed cationic ornon-cationic protein. Examples of these compounds include hydrolyzedcollagens having triethyl ammonium groups, hydrolyzed collagens havingtrimethyl ammonium and trimethyl stearyl ammonium chloride groups,hydrolyzed animal proteins having trimethyl benzyl ammonium groups(benzyltrimonium hydrolyzed animal protein), hydrolyzed proteins havinggroups of quaternary ammonium on the polypeptide chain, including atleast one C₁-C₁₈ alkyl. Hydrolyzed proteins include Croquat™ L, in whichthe quaternary ammonium groups include a C₁₂ alkyl group, Croquat™ M, inwhich the quaternary ammonium groups include C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl groups,Croquat™ S in which the quaternary ammonium groups include a C₁₈ alkylgroup and Crotein Q in which the quaternary ammonium groups include atleast one C₁-C₁₈ alkyl group. These products are sold by Croda. Theconditioning agent can comprise quaternized vegetable proteins such aswheat, corn, or soy proteins such as cocodimonium hydrolyzed wheatprotein, laurdimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein and steardimoniumhydrolyzed wheat protein.

The conditioning agent can be a ceramide type of compound such as aceramide, a glycoceramide, a pseudoceramide, or a neoceramide. Thesecompounds can be natural or synthetic. Compounds of the ceramide typeare, for example, described in Patents pending DE4424530, DE4424533,DE4402929, DE4420736, WO95/23807, WO94/07844, EP-A-0646572, WO95/16665,FR-2 673 179, EP-A-0227994, WO 94/07844, WO 94/24097, and WO 94/10131.Ceramide type compounds useful herein include 2-N-linoleoylamino-octadecane-1,3-diol, 2-N-oleoyl amino-octadecane-1,3-diol,2-N-palmitoyl amino-octadecane-1,3-diol, 2-N-stearoylamino-octadecane-1,3-diol, 2-N-behenoyl amino-octadecane-1,3-diol,2-N-[2-hydroxy-palmitoyl-]-amino-octadecane-1,3-diol, 2-N-stearoyl amino-octadecane-1,3,4-triol, N-stearoyl phytosphingosine, 2-N-palmitoylamino-hexadecane-1,3-diol, bis-(N-hydroxy ethyl N-cetyl) malonamide,N(2-hydroxy ethyl)-N-(3-cetoxyl-2-hydroxy propyl) amide of cetylic acid,N-docosanoyl N-methyl-D-glucamine and mixtures of such compounds.

The conditioning agent can be a cationic surfactant such as a salt of aprimary, secondary, or tertiary fatty amine, optionallypolyoxyalkylenatcd, a quaternary ammonium salt, a derivative ofimadazoline, or an amine oxide. Suitable examples include mono-, di-, ortri-alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds with a counter-ion such as achloride, methosulfate, tosylate, etc. including, but no limited to,cetrimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, behentrimoniummethosulfate, and the like. The presence of a quaternary ammoniumcompound in conjunction with the polymer described above reduces staticand enhances combing of hair in the dry state. The polymer also enhancesthe deposition of the quaternary ammonium compound onto the hairsubstrate thus enhancing the conditioning effect of hair.

The conditioning agent can be any fatty amine known to be useful as aconditioning agent; e.g. dodecyl, cetyl or stearyl amines, such asstearamidopropyl dimethylamine. The conditioning agent can be a fattyacid or derivatives thereof known to be useful as conditioning agents.Suitable fatty acids include myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid,behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and isostearic acid. Thederivatives of fatty acids include carboxylic esters including mono-,di-, tri- and tetra-carboxylic acids.

The conditioning agent can be a fluorinated or perifuorinated oil.Fluorinated oils include perfluoropolyethers described in EP-A-486135and the fluorohydrocarbon compounds described in WO 93/11103. Thefluoridated oils may also be fluorocarbons such as fluoramines, e.g.,perfluorotributylamine, fluoridated hydrocarbons, such asperfluorodecahydronaphthalene, fluoroesters, and fluoroethers. Ofcourse, mixtures of two or more conditioning agents can be used.

The conditioning agent can be any silicone known by those skilled in theart to be useful as a conditioning agent. The silicones suitable for useaccording to the invention include polyorganosiloxanes that areinsoluble in the composition. The silicones may be present in the formof oils, waxes, polymers, or gums. They may be volatile or non-volatile.The silicones can he selected from polyalkyl siloxanes, polyarylsiloxanes, polyalkyl aryl siloxanes, silicone gums and polymers, andpolyorgano siloxanes modified by organofunctional groups, and mixturesthereof. Suitable polyalkyl siloxanes include polydimethyl siloxaneswith terminal trimethyl silyl groups or terminal dimethyl silanol groups(dimethiconol) and polyalkyl (C₁-C₂₀) siloxanes. Suitable polyalkyl arylsiloxanes include polydimethyl methyl phenyl siloxanes and polydimethyldiphenyl siloxanes, linear or branched. The silicone gums suitable foruse herein include polydiorganosiloxanes including those having anumber-average molecular weight between 200,000 and 1,000,000, usedalone or mixed with a solvent. Examples include polymethyl siloxane,polydimethyl siloxane/methyl vinyl siloxane gums, polydimethylsiloxane/diphenyl siloxane, polydimethyl siloxane/phenyl methyl siloxaneand polydimethyl siloxane/diphenyl siloxane/methyl vinyl siloxane.Suitable silicone polymers include silicones with a dimethylitrimethylsiloxane structure and polymers of the trimethyl siloxysilicate type.The organo-modified silicones suitable for use in the invention includesilicones such as those previously defined and containing one or moreorganofunctional groups attached by means of a hydrocarbon radical andgrafted siliconated polymers. In one embodiment the silicones are aminofunctional silicones. The silicones may be used in the form ofemulsions, nano-emulsions, or micro-emulsions.

The conditioning agent or agents can be present in an amount from about0.001% to about 20%, particularly from about 0.01% to about 10%, andeven more particularly from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight based onthe total weight of the final composition. The personal care/cosmeticcompositions of the invention can contain one or more protecting agentsin combination with the above-described polymer to prevent or limit thedegrading effects of natural physical and/or chemical assaults on thekeratinous materials.

The protecting agent can be chosen from hydrosoluble, liposoluble andwater-insoluble UV filters, antiradical agents, antioxidants, vitaminsand pro-vitamins. The above-described cationic polymer enhances thedeposition of these materials onto the hair or skin substrate enhancingprotection of hair to UV damage. Organic UV filters (systems that filterout UV rays) can be chosen from among hydrosoluble or liposolublefilters, whether siliconated or nonsiliconated, and mineral oxideparticles, the surface of which may be treated. Hydrosolubie organic UVfilters may be chosen from para-amino benzoic acid and its salts,anthranilic acid and its salts, salicylic acid and its salts, hydroxycinnamic acid and its salts, sulfonic derivatives of benzothiazoles,benzimidizoles, benzoxazoles and their salts, sulfonic derivatives ofbenzophenone and their salts, sulfonic derivatives of benzylidenecamphor and their salts, derivatives of benzylidene camphor substitutedby a quaternary amine and their salts, derivatives ofphthalydene-camphosulfonic acids and their salts, sulfonic derivativesof benzotriazole, and mixtures thereof. Hydrophilic polymers, which havelight-protective qualities against UV rays, can be used. These includepolymers containing benzylidene camphor and/or benzotriazole groups.

Suitable liposoluble organic UV filters include derivatives ofpara-aminobenzoic acid, such as the esters or amides ofpara-aminobenzoic acid; derivatives of salicylic acid; derivatives ofbenzophenone; derivatives of dibenzoyl methane; derivatives of diphenylacrylates; derivatives of benzofurans; UV filter polymers containing oneor more silico-organic residues; esters of cinnamic acid; derivatives ofcamphor; derivatives of trianilino-s-triazine; the ethylic esterurocanic acid; benzotriazoles; derivatives of hydroxy phenyl triazine;bis-resorcinol-dialkyl amino triazine; and mixtures thereof. Theliposoluble (or lipophilic) organic UV filter can be chosen from octylsalicylate; 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxy dibenzoyl methane; octocrylene;4-methoxy cinnamate; 2-ethylhexyl [2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate]; and2-(2H-1-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-[2-methyl-3-[1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy] disiloxanyl]propynyl] phenol. Other UV filters that may beuseful are derivatives of benzophenones such as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone,derivatives of benzalmalonates such as poly dimethyl/methyl(3(4-(2,2-bis-ethoxy carbonyl vinyl)-phenoxy)-propenyl) siloxane,derivatives of benzylidene camphor such as b-b′camphosulfonic [1-4divinylbenzene] acid and derivatives of benzimidazole such as2-phenyl-benzimidazol-5-sulfonic acid. Water-insoluble UV filtersinclude various mineral oxides. The mineral oxides may be selected fromamong titanium oxides, zinc oxides, and cerium oxides. The mineraloxides can be used in the form of ultrafine nanoparticles. For example,the UV filters can include Escalol® IIP-610 (dimethylpabamido propyllaurdimonium tosylate and propylene glycol stearate) or Crodasorb HP(polyquaternium 59).

The antioxidants or antiradical agents can be selected from phenols suchas BHA (tert-butyl-4-hydroxy anisole), BIIT(2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol), TBHQ (tert-butyl hydroquinone),polyphenols such as proanthocyanodic oligomers, flavonoids, hinderedamines such as tetra amino piperidine, erythorbic acid, polyamines suchas spermine, cysteine, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, andlactoferrin.

The vitamins can be selected from ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E,vitamin E acetate, vitamin F phosphate, B vitamins such as B3 and B5,vitamin PP, vitamin A, and derivatives thereof. The provitamins can beselected from panthenol and retinol.

The protecting agent can be present in an amount from about 0.001% toabout 20% by weight, particularly from about 0.01% to about 10% byweight, and more pariicularly from 0.1% to about 5% by weight of thetotal weight of the final composition.

The composition of the invention can contain a fixing agent incombination with the above-described polymer. The fixing agent can be ananionic polymer chosen from polymers containing carboxylic units derivedfrom unsaturated carboxylic mono- or polyacids.

The fixing agent can be an amphoteric polymer chosen from the polymercontaining recurring units derived from:

-   -   at least one comonomer containing carboxylic acid units, and    -   at least one basic comonomer, such as esters with primary,        secondary, tertiary, and quaternary amino substituents of        acrylic and methacrylic acids and the product of quaternization        of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate with dimethyl or diethyl        sulfate.

The fixing agent can be a nonionic polymer chosen frompolyalkyloxazolines; vinyl acetate homopolymers; vinyl acetate andacrylic ester copolymers; vinyl acetate and ethylene copolymers; vinylacetate and maleic ester copolymers; polyethylene and maleic anhydridecopolymers; homopolymers of alkyl acrylates; homopolymers of alkylmethacrylates; copolymers of acrylic esters; copolymers of alkylacrylates and alkyl methacrylates; copolymers of acrylonitrile and anonionic monomer chosen from among butadiene and alkyl (meth)acrylates;copolymers of alkyl acrylate and urethane; and polyamides. The fixingagent can be a functionalized or unfunctionalized, silicone ornon-silicone polyurethane. The fixing polymer can be a polymer of thegrafted silicone type containing a polysiloxane portion and a portionconsisting of a nonsilicone organic chain, with one of the two portionsforming the main chain of the polymer, and with the other being graftedonto the main chain.

The fixing agent can be present in the composition in a relative weightconcentration between about 0.1% to about 10%, for example, from about0.5% to about 5%.

The personal care/cosmetic composition of the invention can contain anoxidizing agent in combination with the above-described polymer. Theoxidizing agent can be chosen from the group of hydrogen peroxide, ureaperoxide, alkali metal bromates, ferricyanides, persalts, and redoxenzymes, optionally with their respective donor or cofactor. Forexample, the oxidizing agent can be hydrogen peroxide. The oxidizingagent can be a solution of oxygenated water whose titer varies from 1 to40 volumes.

The personal care/cosmetic composition of the invention can contain atleast one reducing agent in combination with the above-described polymerin amounts from about 0.01% to about 30%, particularly from about 0.05%to about 20% of the total weight of the composition. The reducing agentscan be selected from thiols, like cysteine, thioglycolic acid,thiolactic acid, their salts and esters, cysteamine, and its salts orsulfites. In the case of compositions intended for bleaching, ascorbicacid, its salts and its esters, erythorbic acid, its salts and itsesters, and sulfinates, like sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate can be used.

The personal care/cosmetic composition of the invention can contain adye in combination with the above-described polymer. The dye can beselected from the group consisting of neutral acid or cationicnitrobenzene dyes, neutral acid or cationic azo dyes, quinone dyes,neutral, acid or cationic anthraquinone dyes, azine dyes, triarylmethanedyes, indoamine dyes and natural dyes. The dye or dyes can be present ina concentration from about 0.001% to about 20%, and particularly fromabout 0.005% to about 10% based on the total weight of the composition.

In addition, the personal care/cosmetic compositions can include atleast one surfactant in combination with the above-described polymer.The surfactant can be present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 60%,particularly from about I % to about 40%, and more particularly fromabout 5% to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of thecomposition. The surfactant may be chosen from among anionic,amphoteric, or non-ionic surfactants, or mixtures of them known to beuseful in personal care/cosmetic compositions.

One or more suitable thickeners or viscosity increasing agents may beincluded in combination with the above-described polymer in the personalcare/cosmetic compositions of the invention. Suitable thickeners and/orviscosity increasing agents include: Acetamide MEA;Acrylamide/Ethalkonium Chloride Acrylate Copolymer;Acrylamide/Ethyltrimonium Chloride Acrylate/Ethalkonium ChlorideAcrylate Copolymer; Acrylamides Copolymer; Acrylamide/Sodium AcrylateCopolymer; Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer;Acrylates/Acetoacetoxyethyl Methacrylate Copolymer;Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer; Acrylates/C10-30 AlkylAcrylate Crosspolymer; Acrylates/Ceteth-20 Itaconate Copolymer;Acrylates/Ceteth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer; Acrylates/Laureth-25Methacrylate Copolymer; Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer;Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Itaconate Copolymer; Acrylates/Steareth-50 AcrylateCopolymer; Acrylates/Steareth-20 Itaconate Copolymer;Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer; Acrylates/StearylMethacrylate Copolymer; Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer;Acrylic Acid/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer; Adipic Acid/Methyl DEACrosspolymer; Agar; Agarose; Alcaligenes Polysaccharides; Algin; AlginicAcid; Almondamide DEA; Almondamidopropyl Betaine; Aluminum/MagnesiumHydroxide Stearate; Ammonium Acrylates/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer;Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer; Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VinylFormamide Copolymer; Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer;Ammonium Alginate, Ammonium Chloride; Ammonium PolyacryloyldimethylTaurate; Ammonium Sulfate; Amylopectin; Apricotamide DEA;Apricotamidopropyl Betaine; Arachidyl Alcohol; Arachidyl Glycol; ArachisHypogaea (Peanut) Flour; A.scorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate; AstragalusGummifer Gum; Attapulgite; Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour; AvocadamideDEA; Avocadamidopropyl Betaine, Azelamide MEA; Babassuamide DEA;Bahassuamide MEA; Babassuamidopropyl Betaine; Behenamide DEA; BehenamideMEA, Behenamidopropyl Betaine; Behenyl Betaine; Bentonite; ButoxyChitosan, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum; Calcium Alginate; CalciumCarboxymethyl Cellulose; Calcium Carrageenan; Calcium Chloride; CalciumPotassium Carbomer; Calcium Starch Octenylsuccinate; C20-40 AlkylStearate; Canolamidopropyl Betaine; Capramide DEA;Capryl/Capramidopropyl Betaine; Carbomer; Carboxybutyl Chitosan;Carboxymethyl Cellulose Acetate Butyrate; Carboxymethyl Chitin;Carboxymethyl Chitosan; Carboxymethyl Dextran; CarboxymethylHydroxyethylcellulose; Carboxymethyl Hydroxypropyl Guar; Carnitine;Cellulose Acetate Propionate Carboxylate; Cellulose Gum; CeratoniaSiliqua Gum; Cetearyl Alcohol; Cetyl Alcohol; Cetyl Babassuate; CetylBetaine; Cetyl Glycol; Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose; Chimyl Alcohol;Cholesterol/HDI/Pullulan Copolymer; Cholesteryl Hexyl DicarbamatePullulan; Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract; Cocamide DEA;Cocamide MEA; Cocamide MIPA; Cocamidoethyl Betaine; CocamidopropylBetaine; Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine; Coco-Betaine;Coca-Hydroxysultaine; Coconut Alcohol; Coco/Oleamidopropyl Betaine;Coco-Sultaine; Cocoyl Sarcosinamide DEA; Cornamide/Cocamide DEA;Cornamide DEA; Croscarmellose; Crosslinked Bacillus/Glucose/SodiumGlutamate Ferment; Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum; Decyl Alcohol;Decyl Betaine; Dehydroxanthan Gum; Dextrin; Dibenzylidene Sorbitol;Diethanolaminooleamide DEA; Diglycol/CHDM/Isophthalates/SIP Copolymer;Dihydroabietyl Behenate; Dihydrogenated Tallow Benzylmonium Hectorite;Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate; Dimethicone/PFG-10 Crosspolymer;Dimethicone/PEG-15 Crosspolymer; Dimethicone Propyl PG-Betaine;Dimethylacrylamide/Acrylic Acid/Polystyrene Ethyl MethacrylateCopolymer; Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium AcryloyldimethyltaurateCrosspolymer; Disteareth-100 IPDI; DMAPA Acrylates/AcrylicAcid/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer; Erucamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine;Ethylene/Sodium Acrylate Copolymer; Gelatin; Gellan Gum; GlycerylAlginate; Glycine Soja (Soybean) Flour; Guar HydroxypropyltrimoniumChloride; Hectorite; Hyaluronic Acid; Hydrated Silica; HydrogenatedPotato Starch; Hydrogenated Tallow; Hydrogenated Tallowamide DEA;Hydrogenated Tallow Betaine; Hydroxybutyl Methylcellulose; HydroxyethylAcrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer;Hydroxyethylcellulose; Hydroxyethyl Chitosan; Hydroxyethyl cellulose;Hydroxyethyl Stearamide-MIPA; Hydroxylauryl/Hydroxymyristyl Betaine;Hydroxypropylcellulose; Hydroxypropyl Chitosan; HydroxypropylEthylenediamine Carbomer; Hydroxypropyl Guar; HydroxypropylMethylcellulose; Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether;Hydroxypropyl Starch; Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate; HydroxypropylXanthan Gum; Hydroxystearamide MEA; Isobutylene/Sodium MaleateCopolymer; Isostearamide DEA; Isostearamide MEA; Isostearamide MIPA;Isostearamidopropyl Betaine; Lactamide MEA; Lanolinamide DEA; LauramideDEA; Lauramide MEA; Lauramide MIPA; Lauramide/Myristamide DEA;Lauramidopropyl Betaine; Lauramidopropyl Hydroxysultaine; LauriminoBispropanediol; Lauryl Alcohol; Lauryl Betaine; Lauryl Hydroxysultaine;Lauryl/Myristyl Glycol Hydroxypropyl Ether; Lauryl Sultaine;Lecithinamide DEA; Linoleamide DEA; Linoleamide MEA; Linoleamide MIPA;Lithium Magnesium Silicate; Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate;Macrocystis Pyrifera (Kelp); Magnesium Alginate;Magnesium/Aluminum/Hydroxide/Carbonate; Magnesium Aluminum Silicate;Magnesium Silicate; Magnesium Trisilicate; Methoxy PEG-22/Dodecyl GlycolCopolymer; Methylcellulose; Methyl Ethylcellulose; MethylHydroxyethylcellulose; Microcrystalline Cellulose; MilkamidopropylBetaine; Minkamide DEA; Minkamidopropyl Betaine; MIPA-Myristate;Montmorillonite; Moroccan Lava Clay; Myristamide DEA; Myristamide MEA;Myristamide MIPA; Myristamidopropyl Betaine; MyristamidopropylHydroxysultaine; Myristyl Alcohol; Myristyl Betaine; Natto Gum;Nonoxynyl Hydroxyethylcellulose; Oatamide MEA; Oatamidopropyl Betaine;Octacosanyl Glycol Isostearate; Octadecene/MA Copolymer; Oleamide DEA;Oleamide MEA; Oleamide MIPA; Oleamidopropyl Betaine; OleamidopropylHydroxysultaine; Oleyl Betaine; Olivamide DEA; Olivamidopropyl Betaine;Oliveamide MEA; Palmamide DEA; Palmamide MEA; Palmamide MIPA;Palmamidopropyl Betaine; Palmitamide DEA; Palmitamide MEA;Palmitamidopropyl Betaine; Palm Kernel Alcohol; Palm Kernelamide DEA;Palm Kernelamide MEA; Palm Kernelamide MIPA; Palm KernelamidopropylBetaine; Peanutamide MEA; Peanutamide MIPA; Pectin; PEG-800;PEG-Crosspolymer; PEG-150/Decyl Alcohol/SMDI Copolymer; PEG-175Diisostearate; PEG-190 Distearate; PEG-15 Glyceryl Tristearate; PEG-140Glyceryl Tristearate; PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20Ether; PEG -100/IPDI Copolymer; PEG-180/Laureth-50/TMMG Copolymer; PEG-10/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer; PEG-15/Lauryl DimethiconeCrosspolymer; PEG-2M; PEG-5M; PEG-7M; PEG-9M; PEG-14M; PEG-20M; PEG-23M;PEG-25M; PEG-45M; PEG-65M; PEG-90M; PEG-115M; PEG-160M; PEG-180M;PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate; PEG-180/Octoxynol-40/TMMG Copolymer;PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate; PEG-4 Rapeseedamide;PEG-150/Stearyl Alcohol/SMDI Copolymer; Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder;Polianthes Tuberosa Extract; Polyacrylate-3; Polyacrylic Acid;Polycyclopentadiene; Polyether-1; Polyethylene/Isopropyl Maleate/MACopolyol; Polyglyceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone; Polyglyceryl-3Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone; Polymethacrylic Acid;Polyquaternium--52; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Potassium Alginate; PotassiumAluminum Polyacrylate; Potassium Carbomer; Potassium Carrageenan;Potassium Chloride; Potassium Palmate; Potassium Polyacrylate; PotassiumSulfate; Potato Starch Modified; PPG-2 Cocamide; PPG-1 HydroxyethylCaprylamide; PPG-2. Hydroxyethyl Cocamide; PPG-2 HydroxyethylCoco/Isostearamide; PPG-3 Hydroxyethyl Soyamide; PPG-14 Laureth-60 HexylDicarbamate; PPG-14 Laureth-60 Isophoryl Dicarbamate; PPG-14 Palmeth-60Hexyl Dicarbamate; Propylene Glycol Alginate; PVP/Decene Copolymer; PVPMontmorillonite; Pyrus Cydonia Seed; Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fiber;Rhizobian Gum; Ricebranamide DEA; Ricinoleamide DEA; Ricinoleamide MEA;Ricinoleamide MIPA; Ricinoleamidopropyl Betaine; Ricinoleic Acid/AdipicAcid/AEEA Copolymer; Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax; Sclerotium Gum;Sesamide DEA; Sesamidopropyl Betaine; Sodium Acrylate/AcryloyldimethylTaurate Copolymer; Sodium Acrylates/Acrolein Copolymer; SodiumAcrylates/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer; Sodium Acrylates Copolymer; SodiumAcrylates Crosspolymer; Sodium Acrylate/Sodium AcrylamidomethylpropaneSulfonate Copolymer; Sodium Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer;Sodium Acrylate/Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer; Sodium Carbomer; SodiumCarboxymethyl Chitin; Sodium Carboxymethyl Dextran; Sodium CarboxymethylBeta-Glucan.; Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch; Sodium Carrageenan; SodiumCellulose Sulfate; Sodium Chloride; Sodium Cyclodextrin Sulfate; SodiumHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate; Sodium Isooctylene/MA Copolymer; SodiumMagnesium Fluorosilicate; Sodium Oleate; Sodium Palmitate; Sodium PalmKernelate; Sodium Polyacrylate; Sodium Polyacrylate Starch; SodiumPolyacryloyldimethyl Taurate; Sodium Polygamma-Glutamate; SodiumPolymethacrylate; Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate; Sodium Silicoaluminate;Sodium Starch Octenylsu.ccinate; Sodium Stearate; Sodium StearoxyPG-Hydroxyethylcellulose Sulfonate; Sodium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer;Sodium Sulfate; Sodium Tallowate; Sodium Tauride Acrylates/AcrylicAcid/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer; Sodium Tocopheryl Phosphate; SolanumTuberosum (Potato) Starch; Soyamide DEA; Soyamidopropyl Betaine;Starch/Acrylates/Acrylamide Copolymer; Starch HydroxypropyltrimoniumChloride; Stearamide AMP; Stearamide DEA; Stearamide DEA-Distearate;Stearamide DMA-Stearate; Stearamide MEA; Stearamide MEA-Stearate;Stearamide MIPA; Stearamidopropyl Betaine; Steareth-60 Cetyl Ether;Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI Copolymer; Stearyl Alcohol; Stearyl Betaine;Sterculia Urens Gum; Synthetic Fluorphlogopite; tallamide DEA; TallowAlcohol; Tallowamide DEA; Tallowamide MEA; Tallowamidopropyl Betaine;Tallowamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine; Tallowamine Oxide; Tallow Betaine;Tallow Dihydroxyethyl Betaine; Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum; TapiocaStarch; TEA-Alginate; TEA-Carbomer; TEA-Hydrochloride; Trideceth-2Carboxamide MEA; Tridecyl Alcohol; Triethylene Glycol Dibenzoate;Trimethyl Pentanol Hydroxyethyl Ether; Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) GermPowder; Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Kernel Flour; Triticum Vulgare (Wheat)Starch; Tromethamine Acrylates/Acrylonitrogens Copolymer; TromethamineMagnesium Aluminum Silicate; Undecyl Alcohol; Undecylenamide DEA;Undecylenamide MEA; Undecylenamidopropyl Betaine; Welan Guni; WheatGermamide DEA; Wheat Germamidopropyl Betaine; Xanthan Gum; YeastBeta-Glucan; Yeast Polysaccharides and Zea Mays (Corn) Starch.

In one such embodiment, the thickeners or viscosity increasing agentsinclude carbomers, Aculyn™ and Stabileze®, e.g., crosslinked acrylicacid, crosslinked poly(methylvinyl ether/maleic anhydride) copolymer,acrylamides, carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like.

The personal care/cosmetic composition of the invention can contain atleast one amphoteric polymer or a cationic polymer in combination withthe above-described polymer. The cationic or amphoteric polymer orpolymers can be present in an amount from about 0.01% to about 10%,particularly from about 0.05% to about 5%, and more particularly fromabout 0.1% to about 3% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

For some embodiments, it may be preferred to add one or morepreservatives and/or antimicrobial agents, such as, but not limited to,benzoic acid, sorbic acid, dehydroacetic acid, piroctone DMDM hydantoin,IPBC, triclosan, bronopol, formaldehyde, isothiazolinones,nitrates/nitrites, parabens, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sodiumbenzoate, sulphites, and sulphur dioxide. Combinations of preservativesmay be used.

In other embodiments it may be desirable to incorporate preservativeboosters/solvents, select examples of which include caprylyl glycol,hexylene glycol, pentylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, caprylhydroxamicacid, and glyceryl caprylate.

In other embodiments it may be desirable to include one or more otheringredients, such as synthetic and natural oils and waxes. The syntheticoils include polyolefins, e.g., poly-α-olefins such as polybutenes,polyisobutenes and polydecenes. The polyolefins can be hydrogenated. Themineral oils suitable for use in the compositions of the inventioninclude hexadecane and oil of paraffin. Suitable animal and vegetableoils include sunflower, corn, soy, avocado, jojoba, squash, raisin seed,sesame seed, walnut oils, fish oils, glycerol tricaprocaprylate,Purcellin oil or liquid jojoba. Suitable natural or synthetic oilsinclude eucalyptus, lavender, vetiver, litsea cubeba, lemon, sandalwood,rosemary, chamomile, savory, nutmeg, cinnamon, hyssop, caraway, orange,geranium, cade, and bergamot. Suitable natural and synthetic waxesinclude carnauba wax, candelida wax, alfa wax, paraffin wax, ozokeritewax, vegetable waxes such as olive wax, rice wax, hydrogenated jojobawax, absolute flower waxes such as black currant flower wax, animalwaxes such as bees wax, modified bees wax cerabellina), marine waxes andpolyolefin waxes such as polyethylene wax.

The personal care/cosmetic compositions may be used to wash and treatkeratinous material such as hair, skin, eyelashes, eyebrows,fingernails, lips, and hairy skin. The invention provides a method fortreating keratinous material including the skin or hair, by applying toskin or keratinous materials a personal care/cosmetic composition asdescribed above, and then eventually rinsing it with water. Accordingly,the method makes it possible to maintain the hairstyle, treatment, care,washing, or make-up removal of the skin, the hair, and any otherkeratinous material.

The personal care/cosmetic compositions described herein are useful inpersonal care/cosmetic products, including, but not limited to, gels,lotions, glazes, glues, mousses, sprays, fixatives, shampoos,conditioners, 2-in-1 shampoos, temporary hair dyes, semi-permanent hairdyes, permanent hair dyes, straighteners, permanent waves, relaxers,creams, putties, waxes, pomades, moisturizers, mascaras, lip balms andfoam enhancers. The personal care/cosmetic compositions can be detergentcompositions such as shampoos, bath gels, and bubble baths. In thismode, the compositions will comprise a generally aqueous washing base.The surfactant or surfactants that form the washing base may be chosenalone or in blends, from known anionic, amphoteric, or non-ionicsurfactants. The quantity and quality of the washing base must besufficient to impart a satisfactory foaming and/or detergent value tothe final composition. The washing base can be from about 4% to about50% by weight, particularly from about 6% to about 35% by weight, andeven more particularly from about 8% to about 25% by weight of the totalweight of the final composition. The personal care/cosmetic compositionsmay also take the form of after-shampoo compositions, to be rinsed offor not, for permanents, straightening, waving, dyeing, or bleaching, orthe form of rinse compositions to be applied before or after dyeing,bleaching, permanents, straightening, relaxing, waving or even betweenthe two stages of a permanent or straightening process. The personalcare/cosmetic compositions may also take the form of skin-washingcompositions, and particularly in the form of solutions or gels for thebath or shower, or of make-up removal products. The personalcare/cosmetic compositions may also be in the form of aqueous orhydro-alcoholic solutions for skin and/or hair care.

The pH of the composition applied to the keratinous material isgenerally between 2 and 12. In one embodiment, the pH is from about 3 toabout 8, and may be adjusted to the desired value by means of acidifyingor alkalinizing agents that are well known in the state of the art.Thus, the composition of the invention can contain at least onealkalizing or acidifying agent in amounts from about 0.01% to about 30%based on the total weight of the composition.

The alkalizing agent can be chosen from ammonia, alkali hydroxides,alkali carbonates, alkanolamines, like mono-, di- and triethanolamines,as well as their derivatives, hydroxyalkylamines and ethoxylated and/orpropoxylated ethylenediamines, unsubstituted and substitutedpropylenediamines.

The acidifying agent can be chosen from mineral or organic acids, likehydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid, carboxylic acids like tartaricacid, citric acid, or lactic acid, or sulfonic acids, and the like.

The personal care/cosmetic compositions of the invention may include aphysiological and cosmetically acceptable medium. Such medium mayconsist exclusively of water, a cosmetically acceptable solvent, or ablend of water and a cosmetically acceptable solvent, such as a loweralcohol composed of C₁ to C₄, such as ethanol, isopropanol, t-butanol,n-butanol, alkylene glycols such as propylene glycol, and glycol ethers.Alternatively, the personal care/cosmetic compositions can be anhydrous.

Generally, personal care/cosmetic compositions can be prepared by simplemixing procedures well known in the art.

The invented polymers can be prepared according to the examples set outbelow. The examples are presented for purposes of demonstrating, but notlimiting, the preparation of the compounds and compositions of thisinvention.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to illustrate a fewmethods for preparing the amidic polymers.

Example 1

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet, refluxcondenser, 250 g of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA, Mowiol 385) aqueoussolution (20%) was added to the reactor. The reactor was heated to 70°C. under nitrogen purging. Then, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA, 2.16 g) wasadded. After 6 hours of reaction, GMA was non-detectable by GC. Then, 50g high purity vinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP) and 200 g deionized water (DI)were added to the reaction kettle. An initiator solution was prepared bymixing 0.3 g Vazo 67 with 1.7 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA). When thereaction temperature was stabilized at 70° C., 1 g initiator solutionwas added to the reaction kettle. After 30 minutes, the remaininginitiator solution was added into the reaction kettle. Then, thereaction was maintained at 70° C. for 5 hours, and then allowed to coolto room temperature. Upon cooling, colorless and viscous polymer wasdischarged from the reaction kettle. The residual HPVP is less than0.1%. The solids of the product are 19.45% polymer in water.

Example 2

50 g PVA powder and 200 g DI water were added into a 1-L reactorequipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and reflux condenser. Thereactor was heated to 85° C. over 2 hours under nitrogen purging. Thereaction temperature was maintained for 2 hours and then cooled down to70° C. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA, 2.05 g) and 3.0 g 20% NaOH aqueoussolution were added to the reactor. After 6 hours of reaction, 50 g highpurity vinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP) and 200 g DI water were added into thereaction kettle. An initiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.3 g Vazo67 with 1.7 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reaction temperaturereached 70° C., 1 g initiator solution was added to the reactor. After30 minutes, the remaining initiator solution was added and reaction wasmaintained at 70° C. for 5 hours. Then, the reaction mixture was cooledto room temperature to discharge. The product obtained is colorless andviscous solution. The residual HPVP is less than 0.1%. The solids of theproduct are 20% polymer in water.

Example 3

A 1-L reactor was equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and refluxcondenser. PVA powder (50 g) and DI water (250 g) were added into thereactor and heated to 85° C. over 2 hours under nitrogen purging. Thereaction temperature was maintained for 2 hours and then cooled down to70° C. Then, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA, 2.05 g) and 3.0 g 20% NaOHaqueous solution were added to the reactor. After 6 hours of reaction,50 g high purity vinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP) and 250 g DI water were addedinto the reactor. An initiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.36 gVazo 67 with 1.7 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reactiontemperature was stabilized at 70 C., 1 g initiator solution was added.After 30 minutes, the remaining initiator solution was added andreaction was maintained at 70° C. for 5 hours. The reaction mixture wasthen allowed to cool to room temperature. Upon cooling, colorless andviscous polymer was discharged from the reaction kettle. The residualHPVP is less than 0.1%. The solids of the product are 15.4% polymer inwater.

Example 4

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet, refluxcondenser, 250 g of PVA (Mowiol 385) aqueous solution (20%) was added tothe reactor. The reactor was heated to 70° C. under nitrogen purging.Then, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA, 2.16 g) was added. After 6 hours ofreaction, 50 g high purity vinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP), 1.0 g polyethyleneglycol diacrylate (SR259 from Sartomer) and 200 g DI water were addedinto the reaction kettle. Initiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.3g Vazo 67 with 1.7 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reactiontemperature was stabilized at 70° C., 1 g initiator solution was addedto the reaction kettle. After 30 minutes, the remaining initiatorsolution was added into the reaction kettle. Then, the reaction wasmaintained at 70° C. for 5 hours, and then allowed to cool to roomtemperature., Upon cooling, colorless and viscous polymer was dischargedfrom the reaction kettle. The residual HPVP obtained is less than 0.1%and the solids of the product are 19.45% polymer in water.

Example 5

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet, refluxcondenser, 250 g of PVA aqueous solution (20%) was added. The reactorwas heated to 70° C. under nitrogen purging. Then, glycidyl methacrylate(GMA, 2.16 g) was added and reaction was maintained for 6 hours. 50 ghigh purity vinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP) was mixed with 200 g DI water,adjusted to pH<7 by acid and then added into the reaction kettle.Initiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.3 g Vazo 67 with 1.7 gIsopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reaction temperature was stabilized at70° C., 1 g initiator solution was added to the reaction kettle. After30 minutes, the remaining initiator solution was added into the reactionkettle. Then, the reaction was maintained at 70° C. for 5 hours, andthen allowed to cool to room temperature. Upon cooling, colorless andviscous polymer was discharged from the reaction kettle. The residualHPVP is less than 0.1%. The solids of the product is 19.45% polymer inwater.

Example 6

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and refluxcondenser, 280 g of PVOH (Mowiol) aqueous solution (10%), 50 g HPVP and1.5 g glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) were added and heated to 70° C. undernitrogen purging. Then, 190 g DI water was added to the reactor. Aninitiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.36 g Vazo 67 with 1.7 gisopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reaction temperature reached 70° C.,1.18 g initiator solution was added to the reaction kettle. After 30minutes, the remaining initiator solution was added into the reactionkettle. Then, the reaction was maintained at 70° C. for 6 hours, andthen allowed to cool to room temperature. Upon cooling, colorless andviscous polymer was discharged from the reaction kettle. The residualHPVP is less than 0,1%. The solids of the product is 15.88% polymer inwater.

Example 7

The method set out in Example 6 was followed with the changes: thereactant ratio of PVA:GMA:VP was 25:14:1; and the reaction solvent wasN-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The obtained was viscous slightly hazyproduct.

Example 8

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet, refluxcondenser, 175 g PVA aqueous solution (20%) was added. Then, glycidylmethacrylate (GMA, 1.5 g) and 1.5 g of 50% NaOH aqueous solution wereadded to the reactor. Under nitrogen purging, the reaction temperaturewas raised to 70° C. and maintained at 70° C. for 6 hours. High purityvinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP, 35 g) and 240 g DI water were added into thereactor. An initiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.36 g Vazo 67with 1.7 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reaction temperature wasstabilized at 70° C., 1.18 g initiator solution was added to reactor.After 30 minutes, the remaining initiator solution was added into thereaction kettle. Reaction temperature was maintained at 70° C. for 5hours, and then allowed to cool to room temperature. Upon cooling,colorless and viscous polymer was discharged from the reaction kettle.The residual HPVP was less than 0.1%.

Examples 9-10

The method of Example 8 was followed with the following changes of thereactant ratios.

Exp# PVA GMA VP Solids % 9 28 1.5 50 15 10 28 2.7 50 15

Example 11

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and refluxcondenser, 280 g of PVA (Mowiol 385) aqueous solution (10%) was addedinto the reactor. Under nitrogen purging, the reaction temperature wasraised to 70° C. Then, 50 g high purity vinyl pyrrolidone (HPVP) and0.075 g PETA (pentaerythritol triallyl ether) were added into thereaction kettle. An initiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.36 gVazo 67 with 2.0 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA). When the reactiontemperature was stabilized at 70° C., 1.18 g initiator solution wasadded to the reaction kettle. After 30 minutes, the remaining initiatorsolution was added into the reaction kettle. Then, the reaction wasmaintained at 70° C. for 5 hours, and then allowed to cool to roomtemperature. Upon cooling, colorless and viscous polymer was dischargedfrom the reaction kettle. The residual HPVP was less than 0.1%. Theproduct contains erosslinked and non-crosslinked polymer.

Example 12-13

The method Example 11 was followed with the following changes ofPVA/HPVP ratio.

Exp# Composition 12 20:30 PVA/HPVP and 0.046 g PETE 13 15:25 PVA/HPVPand 0.0375 g PETE

Example 14

The method of Example 11 was followed replacing PETE (pentaerythrioltriallyl ether) with PEGDA (polyethylene glycol diacrylate (SR259 fromSartomer). The ratio of PVA/HPVP ratio was 28/50.

Example 15

The method of Example 14 was followed without the addition of PEGDA(polyethylene glycol diacrylate, SR259 from Sartomer).

Example 16

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and refluxcondenser, 280 g of PVA aqueous solution (10%) and 118 g DI water wereadded. Under nitrogen purging, the reaction temperature was raised to70° C. and 0.3 g ammonium hydroxide was added to the reactor. Then, 1.5g hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution (35%) was added to the reactor. Thereaction was held for 50 minutes. A Pre-mix of 50 g high purity vinylpyrrolidone (HPVP) and 32 g of DI water was fed into the reactor over 1hour. Then three shots of hydrogen peroxide were added to the reactorevery 15 minutes. Then, the reaction was maintained at 70° C. for 5hours, and then allowed to cool to room temperature. Upon cooling, thecolorless and viscous polymer was discharged from the reaction kettle.The residual HPVP was less than 0.1%.

Example 17

25 g PVP K90 powder (from ISP) was mixed with 95 g of DI water. Thereaction mixture was magnetically stirred until the solution was clear.A quantity of 140 g of PVA aqueous solution (10%) was added to the glassjar and well mixed. The sample obtained was a slightly yellowish clearsolution.

Example 18

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and refluxcondenser, 50 g Celluosize HEC-15 powder (from Dow), 20 g DI water and180 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were added. Then, 8 g NaOH aqueoussolution (50%) was added into the reactor. The reaction mixture wasstirred 16 hours at room temperature. Under nitrogen purging, thereaction temperature was increased to 50° C. and glycidyl methacrylate(GIM, 5.0 g) was added into the reactor. The reaction temperature wasmaintained for 6 hours at 70° C. Then five parts of 8 g HPVP followed byfive shots of Vazo 67 (dissolved in IPA) were added into the reactorevery 15 minutes. After the final charge of HPVP and initiator, thereaction was maintained for 2 hours. Three shots of Vazo 67 solutionwere added into the reactor every 30 minutes. The reaction was then keptfor 1 hour and two shots of Trigonox 25 C75 (0.5 g of each) were addedinto the reactor every 2 hours. The reaction was continued for another 2hours and then cooled down to room temperature to discharge. Thereaction mixture was washed with acetone, filtrated and dried in vacuumoven at 50° C. The product obtained was a yellowish powder. The yieldwas 69.7%

Example 19

The procedure of Example 1 was used followed with the following changes:7.0 g of KOH was used instead of 8 g 20% NaOH; the GMA amount added intothe reactor was 8.5 g; the HPVP amount added into the reactor was 41.5g.

Example 20

In a 1-L reactor equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet and refluxcondenser, 50 g Celluosize HEC-15 powder (from Dow), 20 g DI water and200 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were added. The reaction mixture wasstirred overnight at room temperature. Then, 10 g NaOH aqueous solution(50%) was added into the reactor and the reaction temperature was raisedto 70° C. When the temperature reached 70° C., 8.5 g GMA was chargedinto the reactor and reactor was sparged with air. After 5.5 hours ofreaction, air sparging was switched to nitrogen sparging. After 30minutes, 41.5 g HPVP was added into the reactor followed by 0.18 g Vazo67 (dissolved in 1 g of IPA). Fifteen minutes later one more shot ofVazo 67 (0.18 g Vazo 67 in 1 g IPA) was added into the reactor. Thereaction was maintained at 70° C. for 8.5 hrs. Then, 0.6 g Vazo 67(dissolved in 4 g IPA) was added. After 4 hours of reaction, thereaction was stopped and cooled down to room temperature. The reactionmixture was washed with acetone, filtered, and dried in vacuum oven at50° C. The product obtained was a yellowish powder with a yield of65.5%.

Example 21

In a 1-L reactor was equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet andreflux condenser, 48 g of Celluosize HEC-15 powder (from Dow), 30 g DIwater and 170 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were added. The reaction mixturewas stirred overnight at room temperature. Then, 1.5 g GMA and 2.0 gNaOH aqueous solution (50%) were added into the reactor. The reactiontemperature was raised to 70° C. and maintained for 6 hours. GMA was notdetected by GC. Then, HPVP (50.0 g) was added into the reactor andreaction mixture was sparged with nitrogen for 30 minutes. When thetemperature was stabilized at 70° C., 0.8 g Trigonox 25 C75 was addedinto the reactor. The reaction mixture was kept for 6 hours then cooledto room temperature to discharge. After being dried in a vacuum oven, ayellowish powder was obtained. The product was readily soluble in waterand the solution obtained was clear.

Example 22

PVP/VA/GMA polymer was first synthesized by solution polymerization. Ina 1-L Parr reactor. Vinyl acetate (VA, 10 g) and 230 g Acetone wereadded. The reactor was pressurize/release with nitrogen three times andthen heated to 55° C. with vigorous stirring. A monomer feeding solutionwas prepared by mixing HPVP (70 g) and Vinyl Acetate (30 g). Aninitiator solution was prepared by mixing 0.83 g Trigonox 25 C75 with4.17 g Acetone. When temperature reached 55° C., the monomer feedingsolution was metered into the reactor over 1 hour. Meanwhile four shotsof Trigonox 25 C75 solution were added every half hours. The reactionwas maintained for 3 hours and then was increased to 65° C. Two moreshots of Trigonox 25 C75 were added every 2 hours. After the final shotsof Trigonox 25 C75, the reaction was hold for another three hours. Theresidual VP % and VA % in the obtained product were less than 0.1%.

In a 1-L kettle reactor was equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inletand reflux condenser, 25 g Celluosize HEC-15 powder (from Dow) and 100 gAcetone and 25 g Dimethylsulfonate (DMSO) were added. The reactionmixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. 50 g P(VP/VA/GMA)(30% solids) was added into the reactor followed by 0.58 g KOH powder.Reaction mixture was refluxed for 6 hours and then was cooled to roomtemperature to discharge the product. The reaction mixture was washed byacetone three times and the precipitate was dried in oven. The productobtained was a yellowish powder with a yield of 68.75%.

Example 23

In a 1-L reactor was equipped with thermocouple, nitrogen inlet andreflux condenser, 48.5 g Celluosize HEC-15 powder (from Dow), 30 g DIwater and 170 g isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were added. The reaction mixturewas stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture washeated to 50° C. and then 2.0 g NaOH aqueous solution (50%) was added.After 2 hours of reaction, 1.5 g GMA was added to the reactor. Thereaction temperature was raised to 70° C. and maintained for 5 hours.Then, the reaction mixture was cooled to 50° C. and HPVP (50.0 g) wasadded into the reactor. The reactor was sparged with nitrogen for 30minutes and then 0.5 g Trigonox 25 C75 was added. The reaction wasmaintained for 1 hour and then was raised to 60° C. One hour later, thereaction mixture was increased to 70° C. and held for 3.5 hours. Twomore shots of 0.2 g Trigonox 25 C75 were added into the reactor after 2hours. The residual VP of the final product was 0.1%.

Example 24

The method of Example 5 was followed with the following change: solventexchange was applied to replace IPA with water. The final obtained was16% solids in water.

Example 24 Shale Swelling Inhibition Testing

The shale swelling inhibition performance was evaluated using the RollerOven test. The test procedures are following:

-   1). Prepare 400 g of the polymer solution to be evaluated.-   2). Weigh the required amount of polymer solution and water into a    500 ml glass bottle with lid.-   3). Add 40 g of KCl and heat with stirring to 71° C. (160° F.).-   4). Add 10 g (to 2 decimal places) of the 2-4 mm London clay to the    test fluid and record weight.-   5). Screw on the bottle cap and shake the sample by hand for 10    seconds.-   6). Place the bottle on the roller mixer with the IR lamp at 20    r/min and leave for 16 hours.-   7). Remove from the mixer and heat and allow to cool for 1 hour.    Pour the contents of the bottle into a 500 μm sieve, retaining the    clay and disposing of the test fluid.-   8). Rinse the bottle with water and pour onto the sieve until all    the shale has come out of the bottle.-   9). Wash the shale in the sieve by immersing in a tray of water.-   10). Dry sieve and contents at 121° C. to constant weight.-   11). Weigh the dried shale and report as a percentage of the    original 10 g.

The shale recovery is determined by the formula:

${{Shale}\mspace{14mu} {Recovery}\mspace{11mu} \%} = {\frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {recovered}\mspace{14mu} {shale}}{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {the}\mspace{14mu} {Orginal}\mspace{14mu} {Shale}} \times 100\%}$

The performance (inhibition efficiency) is shown by (shale recoveryrate), solution appearance after hot rolled, and change of the clayparticle size. A good shale swelling inhibitor will give a higher shalerecovery value and the test solution, after being rolled in a rolleroven for 16 hrs, aill be less muddy. Recovered clay particles for a goodshale swelling inhibitor do not change greatly before and after thetest.

Example 25 Salt Tolerance Test

The salt tolerance of a shale swelling inhibitor was evaluated using thefollowing procedure:

-   1). Prepare 10:26% KCl solution by dissolving a KCl powder into DI    water in a glass jar.-   2). Add polymer into the 10.26 KCl aqueous solution to make 1%    polymer solution.-   3). Transfer the polymer solution prepared above try a glass made    pressure tube.-   4). Pre-set an oven to 120° C.-   5). Leave the pressure tube in the oven for overnight.-   6). Observe the appearance of the solution.

Salt tolerance of shale swelling inhibitor is determined by theappearance of test solutions. Polymers that have good salt tolerance donot precipitate out of solution.

Example 26 Shale Swelling Inhibition and Salt tolerance Test Results

Shale Swelling Inhibition and Salt tolerance Test Results Shale RecoverySolution Appearance of salt tolerance test Sample ID Active level % Rate% appearance solution Blank 0 25%-40% Muddy — PVA 0.6 57.2 Muddy ClearCrosslinked 0.33   100% Hazy Phase separation PVP Exp 1 0.33 101.5%Clear slightly hazy Clear, no phase separation Exp 2 0.33  98.5% Clearslightly hazy Clear, no phase separation Exp 8 0.33 92 Slightly muddySlightly hazy, no precipitation Exp 9 0.33  98.5% Clear, slightly hazySlightly hazy no precipitation Exp 10 0.33 101.5% Clear, slightly hazyClear, no precipitation Exp 11 0.33 101.8% Clear, Clear, noprecipitation Exp 12 0.33 95.5 Slightly muddy Clear, no precipitationExp 13 0.33 98.1 Slightly muddy Clear, no precipitation Exp 14 0.33 100Clear, slightly hazy Clear, no precipitation Exp 15 0.33 95.4-98.5Slightly muddy Clear, no precipitation Exp 17 0.33 92 Muddyprecipitation Exp 21 0.6 90.1-95.5 Muddy — Exp 22 0.6 95.5 Muddy — Exp23 0.6 98.1 Muddy — Exp 24 0.6 100 Clear, slightly hazy —

While a number of embodiments of this invention have been represented,it was apparent that the basic construction may be altered to provideother embodiments that utilize the invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variationsare intended to be included within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims rather than the specific embodiments that havebeen presented by way of example.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. An amidic polymer comprising a (a) polymer having ahydroxyl group reacted with a (c) vinyl amide to provide the amidicpolymer.
 15. The amidic polymer according to claim 14, wherein the (a)polymer having a hydroxyl group is selected from the group consisting ofpartially and fully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol)s, polysaccharides,and mixtures thereof.
 16. The amidic polymer according to claim 15,wherein the polysaccharides are derived from celluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses,hydropropyl celluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses, ethylcelluloses, carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates, heparins,hyaluronic acids, starches, chitins, perctins, guars, xanthans,dextrans, welan gums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, and mixturesthereof.
 17. The amidic polymer according to claim 14, wherein the (c)vinyl amide is selected from the group consisting of N-vinylpyrrolidone; N-vinyl piperidone; N-vinyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-3-methylpyrrolidone; N-vinyl-4-methyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-5-methyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-3-ethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3-butyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-3,3-dimethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-4,5-dimethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-5,5-dimethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3,3,5-trimethyl pyrrolidone;N-vinyl-5-methyl-5-ethyl pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-3-ethylpyrrolidone; N-vinyl-6-methyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-3,5-dimethyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-piperidone; N-vinyl-6-propyl-2-piperidone;N-vinyl-3-octyl piperidone; N-vinyl-7-methyl caprolactam;N-vinyl-7-ethyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-4-isopropyl caprolactam;N-vinyl-5-isopropyl caprolactam; N-vinyl-4-butyl caprolactam; N-vinylformamide; N-vinyl acetamide; N-(2,2-dichloro-vinyl)-propionamide;N-ethenyl acetamide; cis-N-propenyl acetamide; N-vinyl-N-methylacetamide; N-vinyl-N,N-propyl propionamide; N-acryloyl piperidone;N-acryloyl pyrrolidone; ethyl acryloyl pyrrolidone; methyl acryloylpyrrolidone; N-acryloyl caprolactam; ethyl acryloyl caprolactam; methylacryloyl caprolactam; N-cyclohexylacrylamide; N-cyclopentylacrylamide;acrylamide, N-butoxymethylacrylamide; N,N-dibutylacrylamide;N-butylacrylamide; diacetoneacrylamide; N-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylacrylamide; N,N-diethylacrylamide; N,N-dimethylacrylamide;N-dodecylmethacrylamide; N-ethylacrylamide; N-ethylmethacrylamide;N-isopropylacrylamide; N-isopropylmethacrylamide;β,β-N,N-tetramethylacrylamide; N-methylolacrylamide; N-methylacrylamide; N-octadecylacrylamide; N-octylacrylamide;N-phenylacrylamide; trichloroacrylamide; and mixtures thereof.
 18. Theamidic polymer according to claim 14, wherein the polymer is representedby the structure:

wherein R₁ is a polymer having a hydroxyl group; m is an integer rangingfrom about 1 to about 100,000; and n is an integer ranging from 1-3. 19.The amidic polymer according to claim 18, wherein R₁ is a polymer havinga hydroxyl group selected from the group consisting of partially andfully hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol)s, polysaccharides, and mixturesthereof.
 20. The amidic polymer according to claim 19, wherein thepolysaccharides are derived from celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses,carboxymethyl celluloses, hydroxyethyl celluloses, hydropropylcelluloses, hydroxypropyl methyl celluloses, ethyl celluloses,carageenans, chitosans, chondroitin sulfates, heparins, hyaluronicacids, starches, chitins, perctins, guars, xanthans, dextrans, welangums, gellan gums, diutans, pullulana, and mixtures thereof.
 21. Theamidic polymer according to claim 18, wherein n is an integer rangingfrom 1-2.
 22. The amidic polymer according to claim 18, wherein m is aninteger ranging from 1 to about 750,000.
 23. The amidic polymeraccording to claim 18, wherein the polymer is selected from the groupconsisting of:

wherein x is an integer ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; y is aninteger ranging from 1 to about 1,000,000; w is an integer ranging from1 to about 1,000,000; and v is an integer ranging from 1 to about1,000,000. 24-96. (canceled)